NexStream 3.0 Launches Jan. 26

Up to $300,000 in total prizes up for grabs. New challenge area for 2022: creative industries and tourism.

The City of Campbell River and Campbell River Area Angel Group (CRAAG) are counting down to the launch of Campbell River’s own NexStream Tech Competition on Jan. 26. This is the third year for the technology and innovation competition. This year’s competition is open to British Columbia businesses and innovators, with up to $300,000 in total prizes up for grabs.

NexStream 3.0 is accepting applications for five challenges inspired by our coastal region: health and emergency preparedness, food security, sustainable resource management, a wildcard challenge and a new creative industries and tourism challenge. To participate, complete the online expression of interest form available at nexstream.is/expression-of-interest-2022 before 11:59 p.m. PST on Feb. 16.

 “The NexStream Tech Competition is committed to helping innovators develop their products and businesses. And from day one, we’ve been focused on driving positive change for the industries in our coastal region,” says Rose Klukas, manager of economic development. “A new creative industries and tourism challenge has been added to this year’s competition, reflecting the diversity of our local economy and opening up the field to even more innovation.”

 NexStream 3.0 is open to entrepreneurs and businesses with fewer than 100 employees that are based in British Columbia. Teams can enter more than one category. The competition and individual categories may have more than one winning team.

 “On behalf of Council and our entire community, thank you once again to CRAAG for their tremendous support of the NexStream Tech Competition and their commitment to the partnership that makes this competition possible. We greatly appreciate all of the competition’s sponsors and their support of this initiative,” says Mayor Andy Adams. “The NexStream Tech Competition is drawing attention to our city, and Campbell River is seeing increased investment interest and economic diversification as a result. I’m looking forward to seeing what novel approaches innovators take to solving this year’s industry-inspired challenges, including the new creative industries and tourism challenge.”

 “CRAAG (Campbell River Area Angel Group) is pleased to once again sponsor and administer Campbell River's NexStream competition,” says Dana Kammersgard, angel investor and CRAAG member. “Successful past winners have gone on to raise well over $3 million in capital—not only from CRAAG's accredited angel investors but also from venture capital and private equity firms throughout British Columbia, Canada and the United States. We are excited to help these past winners scale their businesses and to welcome a new crop of entrepreneurs to this next generation challenge.”

 More information about the NexStream Tech Competition can be found online at nexstream.is.

About the NexStream Tech Competition

The NexStream Tech Competition was founded in 2019 by the City of Campbell River Economic Development and CRAAG. Based in Campbell River, B.C., this competition aims to cultivate creative solutions to challenges faced by the region’s industries, with a focus on clean, sustainable technology. These challenges are relevant to industries worldwide. Challenge categories vary each year.

Past winners of the NexStream Tech Competition have cumulatively received commitments of investment funding with a combined value of more than $3 million.

Previous NexStream Tech Competition Winners

·        AazeinTx, Gordon Anderson (NexStream 2.0): aazeintx.com

·        AVA Technologies Inc., Valerie Song (NexStream 2.0): avagrows.com

·        MintGreen, Jenn Zee and Colin Sullivan (NexStream 2.0): mintgreen.co

·        Open Ocean Robotics, Julie Angus (NexStream 2.0): openoceanrobotics.com

·        Rootd, Ania Wysocka (NexStream 2.0): rootd.io

·        Portable Electric, Mark Rabin (NexStream 1.0): portable-electric.com

·        WildIsle Ferments, Brandon Pirie (NexStream 1.0): wildisleferments.com

NexStream 3.0 Partners and Sponsors

·        CRAAG: craag.ca

·        Salmon Capital Holdings: salmoncapitalholdings.ca

·        Study Build: study-build.com

·        RBC Royal Bank: rbc.com/community-social-impact/index.html

·        Spring: spring.is

·        Pacific Sands Resort: pacificsands.com

·        Innovate BC: innovatebc.ca

·        CR Lawyers: crlawyers.ca

·        Foresight: foresightcac.com

·        Moeller Matthews: moellermatthews.ca